Xanax - Should I Start? So Scared

Hello to all our forum members, I have been using this site for a while now and would like to see if anyone has thoughts on the use of Xanax.  I have stopped takine any medications now for a week. as always I still have all the anxiety symptons and pain related to muscel tension in the lower abdomen.  MY Dr. I cold take Xanax as a blocker to use only as I need to. Has anyone else done this and I believe it becomes very addictive.  Is it worth it.  Your thought would be appreciated, as I have been through so much sickness with the last two medications I am scard to take anything.

[raindelay]

Xanax is pretty tame in my opinion.  Start by taking a half tablet of the low dose (I think it's a .25mg but I could be wrong) and see how that goes.  I never have to take more than a half tablet and I only do that when GAD acts up.

I have not met anyone who has gotten sick from Xanax but there probably are some.  You won't wig out or be a zombie on Xanax, it'll just take a bit off the top so to speak.  You'll find that it's a completely manageable drug in my opinion (I don't have an addictive personality so I find it easy to leave the things alone unless they're needed).

Good luck and don't panic (ha ha)

[Jade59]

If you have chronic anxiety that only gets worse under certain conditions every once in a while then Xanax would be a good drug for you, but if you feel like you might need it every day then a longer acting benzo would be a better way to go.  Yes it's very addictive and No the addiction isn't worth it because there are better longer acting benzos to choose from if you think you might need something everyday.  I am living in a nightmare because I have taken this drug every night for sleep for years now and it's impossible to get off without going into rehab.  No one ever told me!!

Good luck with your choice.  

[Jade59]

If you have chronic anxiety that only gets worse under certain conditions every once in a while then Xanax would be a good drug for you, but if you feel like you might need it every day then a longer acting benzo would be a better way to go.  Yes it's very addictive and No the addiction isn't worth it because there are better longer acting benzos to choose from if you think you might need something everyday.  I am living in a nightmare because I have taken this drug every night for sleep for years now and it's impossible to get off without going into rehab.  No one ever told me!!

Good luck with your choice.  

[Jade59]

Oops, hit the button twice and I see someone else got here before me so now you have two different opinions to choose from.   For more on Xanax, put it up in the search engine for lots of other previous opinions.  

Again, best of luck

[Prisoner]

I had been taking Xanax on and off for about a year, and if you keep to small doses .25 to .50 mg, only on occasion of anxiety attacks and or trouble sleeping, you shouldn't have any problems. It worked very well for me most of the time with no side or after effects. But, when I really started having serious anxiety and painc attacks it took alot stronger dose to be effective. If you take high doses for long periods of time it can become very addictive and problematic to come off of when you try to quit. Ask your doctor and check online, get as much information as you can before you start taking it.

[sapphireeyesnyc]

My boyfriend was recently in the ER for a severe panic attack on tuesday evening, and they gave him a Xanax to calm him down. It worked, but I wouldn't take it everyday if I were you. Lots of people get addicted to this, as well as Valium. These drugs are often sold on the street, for a quick "high" for drug addicts. Lots of these drug addicts become this way after doctors treatment on these. You should only take it when you start to feel the anxiety coming. Good Luck.

[susieq87]

My experience has been, if you have a addictive peronality, you can take it short term, elsewise you'll have a problem.  It is also OK in emergency situations.  I hope it gets better.

[moonflower13]

My experience with Xanax is quite negative, not because it would cause me an addiction but because it left me so dopey and groggy, I refused to go on with it after the first time! I had swallowed one pill, then the Dr. told me I could chop it up and take as much -or little- as needed. I never took more than 1/4 of a pill, perhaps half of it if I anticipated a sleepless night.

That goes to say, is Xanax addictive? Well, it depends on the person and what use s/he gives to it. If you watch the prescribed dosage and listen to your body honestly, there's no reason why Xanax should be counterproductive for you.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i say dont take it if you need something long term my mother took it now and than , than she needed it more ofton, than she was taking two times to three times a day, thank goodness shes off of it and on klonopin its a long term med and works great. talk to your dr if you need it more than once a week. good luck

[melmel44]

I love xanax!! It has helped me greatly, granted I do not abuse it! I take .25 mg before bed and on occasion, if I am having a more panicky day I will take another .25, as far as it being addictive, I feel like I have to just focus on today. I have taken it in the past and had no problems weaning myself off of it. It is a great drug for panic attacks, if not abused!! Good luck!!